It's one of those things that's been around for 100's of years,
it shouldn't be left to die. It should be carried on and carried on a passed on through the ages.
The younger age get involved and enjoy it. I've only been shooting myself
for nearly two years, I've haven't looked back since.
It's the atmosphere, it's the country sport.
it's the enjoyment of it, it's the fitness as well.
You walk a good couple of miles in a day.
I'm beating here today with my dog Molly.
We're basically running the beating line today and hopefully
get a few birds for the guns.
Basically, what we do is try and scare as many birds forwards as possible
to put them over the guns, so the guns have a decent shot.
Many years ago I was introduced to shooting
by my father, who was also a keen shot.
I shot around here, in these parts
for the best part of 35-40 years.
It's a nice ground, we get some really decent birds,
some high birds. We get
some quick birds, we've got great terrain,
we've got some nice valleys.
We got some cracking birds that go over the guns really high.
Quality birds you'd expect to pay a lot of money elsewhere,
we've got them right here in Staffordshire.
I quite enjoyed myself in the boat earlier on,
Little bit rickety.
I think that Steve may have taken the plugs out of the boat because
I'm absolutely sure it was sinking.
But I had a few good sporting birds, but although trying to get on the bird
when you have the waves, motion of the waves, it is a little bit difficult,
but it's a skill I'm going to master for next season.
So far everybody seems to have really enjoyed
themselves. Even the people that don't know each other, have made good friends and
yeah it's been a very successful day.
From time to time I also come beating,
although from this side,
you can't really see the sheer volume of actively that goes on
behind-the-scenes, but we've got a fair army of beaters,
who come to beat here at Wolseley Park, the same as every shooter in the UK.
They come from all different backgrounds, all different ways of life,
exactly the same as the guys shooting at the front here,
they come for a great day out, great day in the country, come to enjoy themselves.
And spend time with like minded people.
So, regardless of what happens on the day,
it just can't happen without the guys make it happen, the keeper
the under keeper, the beaters, the picker ups. And behind their I can guarantee they're having just
as much fun
as we are out here.
I've had a fantastic day,
it's been great drives,
great company
and I tried a Longthrone gun, which was very very impressive,
I like the balance.
I think when you come shooting, you come for the great escape.
All you've got to do is have a good time,
enjoy yourself,
try and shoot some birds if you can,
but it's great brain drain from the real world.
Small, well-run syndicate shoots are the lifeblood
of the country in the sporting community.
as you normally do here,
they've had about 378 shots.
So that will be about the 100 bird mark.
Which, after the first two drives won't be too bad at all.
The guys,
my beaters,
have worked exceptionally hard today, they've tried really for me,
as they always do.
Without them there would be no shooting, there would be no camaraderie,
they'd be nothing, it's what makes the day really.
The guns are happy,
they must be happy I've got a slow gin and champagne.
I reckon it's beer o'clock.
Cheers.